30-06 , Nosler BT 165 gr , VV N550

2900fps is easy to get with a 26" barrel.In my 24" barrel I've been working with lately,it was maxing out around 2850fps with a 168gr Ballistic Tip.I was able to find a very good load for it with 57.0grs of Reloader16 and a Fed Match Magnum Primer at 2901fps.Winchester Magnum Primer gave me 2908fps.Not too bad on a 30-06.
 

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I've gotten 2895 with a 165 in a 22 inch 30-06? 2850 was more accurate though.
I have found that my rifle loves the lower range speeds at about 2600 to 2750 and shoot sub moa 5 shot groups at 200 yards, which is my zero. High velocities do not yield such a tight group. Best 5 shot group at 400 yards measured 3.76 inches with swift scirocco and about 4.19 with Remington Core-lokt. The Winchester silver tip factory bullets do amazingly well in my rifle as well.

I have been thinking of putting a new barrel on my old Savage that is about 39 years old, I'm thinking of switching to a 26" or 28" barrel and maybe convert it to a 338-06. I'm gonna take a couple of weeks to think this through if not just keep it the same in 30-06
 
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I have found that my rifle loves the lower range speeds at about 2600 to 2750 and shoot sub moa 5 shot groups at 200 yards, which is my zero. High velocities do not yield such a tight group. Best 5 shot group at 400 yards measured 3.76 inches with swift scirocco and about 4.19 with Remington Core-lokt. The Winchester silver tip factory bullets do amazingly well in my rifle as well.

I have been thinking of putting a new barrel on my old Savage that is about 39 years old, I'm thinking of switching to a 26" or 28" barrel and maybe convert it to a 338-06. I'm gonna take a couple of weeks to think this through if not just keep it the same in 30-06
I had a 30-06 rebored to a 338-06 by JES.I can easily push a 200gr bullet at 2800pfs.That's about as good as you can get with a 180gr bullet out of the 30-06.I really like the 338-06.I've killed a couple of red deer with mine and it worked really well.It is very accurate and very easy to load for with many powders between Varget and 4350 burn range.
 
I had a 30-06 rebored to a 338-06 by JES.I can easily push a 200gr bullet at 2800pfs.That's about as good as you can get with a 180gr bullet out of the 30-06.I really like the 338-06.I've killed a couple of red deer with mine and it worked really well.It is very accurate and very easy to load for with many powders between Varget and 4350 burn range.
Who or where did you get the dies from... any recommendations? On both my rifles a Tikka and the Savage they both love the 165 grainers and have had successful elk hunts but I would like to shoot heavier bullets which I could never find a good load with both of them so my thought process for the heavier bullets is maybe a 338-06. I've heard many good reviews on these re-bores.
 
I use once fired 30-06 cases because they are slightly expanded and the brass is still soft.Make sure to lube the inside of the case necks as well as the usual outside of the case,then run them through Lee 338-06 A-Square resizing die.They will come out just a little short,2.476,but that is a non-issue.No fire forming is required.My rifle was a Remington Long Range 30-06 with a 26" barrel before the rebore to the 338-06.I also tried a few 180gr Accubonds.It was easy to get 3000fps with those bullets.I like the 200gr the best.
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I use once fired 30-06 cases because they are slightly expanded and the brass is still soft.Make sure to lube the inside of the case necks as well as the usual outside of the case,then run them through Lee 338-06 A-Square resizing die.They will come out just a little short,2.476,but that is a non-issue.No fire forming is required.My rifle was a Remington Long Range 30-06 with a 26" barrel before the rebore to the 338-06.I also tried a few 180gr Accubonds.It was easy to get 3000fps with those bullets.I like the 200gr the best.View attachment 195066View attachment 195067View attachment 195067View attachment 195068View attachment 195069
Appreciate the information thanks.
 
Depends on the rifle. With factory sako 180 Super Hammerhead ammo in my CA Classic I got a five shot average of 2898, small es. It sounds and feels differently for sure. No pressure signs though. I have to use start loads as near max and watch my chrono when I develop loads. I chrono'd the same ammo in another 30-06 and got exactly what the factory claims, 2740.
 
That is true.Every rifle is different.I have a Pacnor barreled 30-06.With it's 28" barrel,it gets 100-150fps more velocity than my 24" 30-06's will do with the same loads.The custom barrels I have on other rifles also seem to be a little faster than factory barrels of the same length.I have a 24" Douglas barreled 7mag that will better or equal some 26" barreled 7mags with the same loads.I too notice a tighter ES with these barrels too.
 
Right out of Noslers book,63 grains of R22.165 nbt 2990 out of my ruger 77 22 inch barrel. 10 shot ladder was 1.1 Moa. 63 grains .4 moa. Good enough for me. Really makes the old 30-06 reach out. This,by the way,is the fastest published load I have found.
 
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